Asphalt shingle recycling system and method

ABSTRACT

A method of recycling asphalt roofing material is provided. The asphalt roofing material is delivered into a treatment chamber of a processor. A heat source is provided to the treatment chamber. Heat energy is transferred from the heat source to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated product, and the heated product is removed from the treatment chamber.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, and priority benefit, of U.S.Patent Application Ser. No. 61/069,435, filed Mar. 14, 2008, titled“Asphalt Shingle Recycling System and Method.”

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to recycling of asphalt shingles, and inparticular, to a system and method for recycling of asphalt shinglesutilizing heat treatment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Asphalt concrete pavement is commonly used in roadway construction. Theasphalt concrete pavement typically comprises liquid asphalt cementcombined with aggregate. The aggregate is usually a mixture of sand,gravel, and stone. The aggregate and liquid asphalt cement are mixed andheated to form an asphalt paving composition. The crushed gravel andstone particles of the aggregate provide sharp edges which, whencombined with the liquid asphalt cement, create an aggregate interlockwhich improves the strength of the composition.

Liquid asphalt cement can be expensive. Shredded asphalt roofingshingles are often used as a substitute for liquid asphalt cement. Theasphalt roofing shingles are “recycled” and incorporated into theasphalt pavement composition.

It is difficult to regulate the consistency of the asphalt pavementcomposition using shredded asphalt roofing shingles produced by existingrecycling processes. Also, air emissions from existing recyclingprocesses can be detrimental to the atmosphere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments hereinafter described, asystem and method for recycling asphalt roofing shingles is described.In an embodiment, scrap and tear-off shingles from roofing materials areheat treated and liquefied to produce a slurry that can be formed into afinished product. The composition of the slurry can be regulated with arelatively high degree of consistency. Further, many of the airemissions concerns that existed in previous asphalt shingle recyclingprocesses are eliminated.

In one illustrative embodiment, a method of recycling asphalt roofingmaterial is provided. The asphalt roofing material may be delivered intoa treatment chamber of a processor. A heat source may be passed througha jacket that at least partially surrounds the treatment chamber. Heatenergy is transferred from the heat source to the asphalt roofingmaterial until the asphalt roofing material forms a liquefied slurry.The liquefied slurry may be then removed from the treatment chamber.Heated oil can be used as the heat source. Liquid asphalt can be addedto the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber in a specificembodiment, although this step is not required. The asphalt roofingmaterial in the treatment chamber can be agitated to promote mixing. Theasphalt roofing material can be heated to a temperature in the rangefrom approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheitwithin the treatment chamber. The liquefied slurry can be cooled afterit exits the treatment chamber, preferably to a temperature in the rangeof approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Theliquefied slurry can be passed through a hammer mill after some pointafter exiting the treatment chamber. Preferably, the liquefied slurrypasses through the hammer mill after cooling has occurred.

In another illustrative embodiment, a processor for recycling asphaltroofing material is provided. The processor can include a treatmentchamber, an inlet disposed on the treatment chamber for allowinguntreated asphalt roofing material to enter the treatment chamber, anoutlet disposed on the treatment chamber for allowing treated asphaltroofing material to exit the treatment chamber, and a jacket at leastpartially surrounding the treatment chamber, the jacket having a outerwall, an inner wall, and a passageway therebetween for allowing a heatsource to pass therethrough. A feature of the processor is that anagitator arm can be disposed within the treatment chamber. The agitatorarm can have a shaft and one or more paddles positioned thereon thatcontact the contents of the treatment chamber. A screw conveyer can bedisposed adjacent to the inlet for delivering untreated asphalt roofingmaterial to the treatment chamber. The screw conveyer can include aplurality of variable speed conveyors for regulating the flow ofuntreated asphalt roofing material to the treatment chamber. The heatsource can be heated oil, and the heated oil can circulate through thejacket.

In another illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for recycling asphaltroofing material is provided. The apparatus can include a jacketedagitated processor for heating the asphalt roofing material to produce apartially liquefied product, a heating skid for supplying a heat sourceto the jacket of the agitated processor, and a hammer mill for reducingthe particle size of solid particles present in the partially liquefiedproduct. The apparatus can also include a sizing unit for reducing theparticle size of solid particles present in the partially liquefiedproduct before the partially liquefied product is delivered to thehammer mill. A screw conveyer can be utilized for delivering asphaltroofing material to the processor. The screw conveyer can include aplurality of variable speed conveyors for regulating the flow ofuntreated asphalt roofing material to the treatment chamber. One or moretemperature measuring devices can be disposed at the outlet of thejacketed agitated processor. Further, one or more cooling devices can bepositioned between the outlet of the jacketed agitated processor and theinlet of the hammer mill for measuring and regulating temperature at theprocessor outlet.

In another illustrative embodiment, a method of recycling asphaltroofing material is provided whereby the asphalt roofing material may bedelivered into a treatment chamber of a processor. A heat source may besupplied to the treatment chamber. Heat energy can be transferred fromthe heat source to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heatedsolid product. The heated solid product may then be removed from thetreatment chamber.

The heat source may be passed through a jacket at least partiallysurrounding the treatment chamber. Heated oil may be used as the heatsource. Liquid asphalt can be added to the asphalt roofing material inthe treatment chamber. The processor can be agitated to mix the asphaltroofing material in the treatment chamber. The asphalt roofing materialmay be heated to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheitto 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber. The heatedproduct may be ground, milled and/or passed through a hammer mill afterit exits the treatment chamber. The heated product can be cooled to atemperature in the range from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degreesFahrenheit after it exits the treatment chamber.

In another illustrative embodiment, a method of recycling asphaltroofing material is provided whereby the asphalt roofing material may bedelivered into a treatment chamber of a processor. A heat source can besupplied to the processor. Heat energy may be transferred from the heatsource to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated product, andthe heated product can be removed from the treatment chamber. The heatedproduct may be a heated solid product.

A desired temperature may be determined for the heated product exitingthe treatment chamber. The actual temperature of the heated productexiting the treatment chamber may be measured, and at least oneoperational parameter for the processor may be automatically adjusteduntil the desired temperature and the actual temperature of the heatedproduct exiting the treatment chamber are substantially the same.

Further, the actual temperature of the heated product exiting thetreatment chamber can be measured a plurality of times over a definedtime period, and an average temperature for the heated product exitingthe treatment chamber can be calculated over the defined time period.Then, at least one operational parameter for the processor can beadjusted until the desired temperature and the average temperature ofthe heated product exiting the treatment chamber are substantially thesame.

The operational parameter for the processor can be, for example, theamount of time that the asphalt roofing material is retained in thetreatment chamber, the rate at which the asphalt roofing material isdelivered to the treatment chamber, or the rotational speed of the oneor more paddles in the processor.

A heat source may be passed through a jacket at least partiallysurrounding the treatment chamber. Heated oil may be used as the heatsource. Liquid asphalt can be added to the asphalt roofing material inthe treatment chamber. The processor can be agitated to mix the asphaltroofing material in the treatment chamber. The asphalt roofing materialmay be heated to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheitto 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber. The heatedproduct may be ground, milled and for passed through a hammer mill afterit exits the treatment chamber. The heated product can also be cooled toa temperature in the range from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degreesFahrenheit after it exits the treatment chamber.

In another illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for recycling asphaltroofing material is provided. The apparatus can include an processor forheating the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated product. Ajacket may be disposed around the processor. A heating skid can be usedto supply a heat source to the jacket. At least one hammer mill can beused to reduce the particle size of solid particles present in theheated product. A measurement device can be utilized to measure thetemperature of the heated product.

The apparatus can also include an operational control device forcontrolling one or more operational parameters of the processor basedupon the temperature indicated by the measurement device, as well as oneor more cooling devices disposed between the outlet of the processor andthe inlet of the hammer mill for cooling the heated product. A screwconveyer can be utilized for delivering asphalt roofing material to theprocessor. The screw conveyer can include a plurality of variable speedconveyors for regulating the flow of asphalt roofing material to theprocessor.

An agitator arm can be disposed within the processor. The agitator armcan have a shaft and one or more paddles positioned thereon that contactthe contents of the processor. A jacket may be disposed around theprocessor for receiving the heat source. The heat source for theprocessor may be heated oil, and the heated oil can transfer heat energyto the asphalt roofing material. The asphalt roofing material may beheated to a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650degrees Fahrenheit within the processor. The heated product may becooled to a temperature in the range of approximately 90 degreesFahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the cooling device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of equipment utilized in a specificembodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a processor utilized in a specificembodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of an agitator arm and a plurality ofpaddles utilized in a specific embodiment of an asphalt shinglerecycling system and method.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of additional equipment utilized in aspecific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of additional equipment utilized in aspecific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of equipment utilized in anotherspecific embodiment of an asphalt shingle recycling system and method.

While certain embodiments will be described in connection with thepreferred illustrative embodiments, it will be understood that it is notintended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary,it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, an illustrative embodiment of an asphaltroofing shingle recycling system and method is provided. Scrap asphaltshingles (not shown) are collected and deposited in hopper 10. Hopper 10is preferably of carbon steel construction and may have at least a threecubic yard storage capacity. In a specific embodiment, hopper 10 canhave hinged doors 11 at or near its top end 12 through which scrapasphalt shingles may be loaded. Alternatively, scrap asphalt shinglesmay be loaded into hopper 10 by other means not requiring the use ofhinged doors 11 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6, or by any feed,loader, or supply device capable of supplying scrap asphalt shinglesinto the shingle recycling system.

The contents of hopper 10 can empty onto a screw conveyer 20 by openingbottom doors 13. Screw conveyer 20 preferably has at least a tenton-per-hour capacity and may be driven by any suitable motor, such as avariable frequency drive (“VFD”) motor, which may be a VFD motor of atleast 60 horsepower.

Screw conveyer 20 delivers the scrap asphalt shingles from hopper 10 toprocessor 40. In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 is formed ofcarbon steel, and includes an inlet 42 on its top 43 for receiving thescrap asphalt shingles from screw conveyer 20. If desired, temperaturereading and moisture reading devices can be installed at or near inlet42 to allow for monitoring by a process operator. Further, screwconveyer 20 can have a dual delivery system, if desired, to preventclogging and to feed the asphalt shingles into processor 40 in an evenand consistent manner. Shingles can be loaded into hopper 10 and thenpulled from hopper 10 by a short variable speed conveyor 20 a that feedsonto an longer variable speed conveyor 20 b. By adjusting the speeds ofthe two conveyors 20 a and 20 b, the flow of shingles into processor 40can be regulated which will reduce or eliminate clogging of conveyer 20or hopper 10. Alternatively, one or more augers may be utilized to loadthe asphalt shingles into hopper 10.

The scrap asphalt shingles are heated in a treatment chamber 55 disposedwithin processor 40 until the shingles reach the desired composition orconsistency. In an illustrative embodiment, the shingles are at leastpartially liquefied. For example, a substantial portion of the scrapasphalt can take the form of a slurry after being heated in treatmentchamber 55 of processor 40. Alternatively, in another illustrativeembodiment, the heated shingles can remain in solid form and not takethe form of a slurry in treatment chamber 55. The heated shingles cantake the form of solid heated, or “toasted,” shingles. Producing aheated solid product, or heated shingles, in solid form reduces theheating requirements for the system.

In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 can be similar inconstruction to those processors originally designed by the DuppsCompany of Germantown, Ohio for rendering animal protein products.Processor 40 has been adapted according to embodiments of the presentsystem and method to recycle asphalt shingles. For example, processor 40can utilize hot oil instead of steam (as intended in animal proteinrendering applications) as a heating source. Hot oil is preferablyutilized as the heat supplying stream due to its capacity for reachinghigher temperatures than steam, although steam or other heat sources mayalso be utilized. Alternatively, processor 40 can be constructed orobtained from other sources while still falling within the scope of theembodiments of the present invention. For example, other apparatus thatapply direct or indirect heat to the shingles that results in theshingles being brought within the desired temperature range andconsistency, whether a heated product in solid form or liquefied slurryform, would be in accordance with those of the present illustrativeembodiments.

A jacket 65 can at least partially surround processor 40 in certainillustrative embodiments. Jacket 65 preferably comprises an outer wall50 and an inner wall 60 with a passageway formed therebetween. The hotoil (not shown), or heat source, circulates within the passageway ofjacket 65 and flows around the exterior of processor 40. The hot oil, orheat source, delivers heat energy to the scrap asphalt shinglescontained within treatment chamber 55 of processor 40. Jacket 65 allowsfor transfer of heat over a large surface area within processor 40.Alternatively, other heat sources and apparatus for supplying heat toprocessor 40 may be utilized to heat the shingles treated by processor40.

In an illustrative embodiment, the scrap asphalt shingles are heated toa temperature in the range from approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit to650 degrees Fahrenheit, more preferably about 350 degrees Fahrenheit,within treatment chamber 55 of processor 40 to form a heated product. Inanother illustrative embodiment, the scrap asphalt shingles may beheated to a temperature in the range from approximately 150 degreesFahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit. To the extent the scrap asphaltshingles heated within these temperature ranges form a liquid slurry,the heated product will flow relatively easily. To the extent the scrapasphalt shingles heated within these temperature ranges form a solidheated, or “toasted,” shingle, the heated product is sufficientlybrittle to be easily ground in one or more hammer mills.

The hot oil is initially stored in a heating tank 120, as illustrated inFIG. 4. Heating tank 120 is preferably associated with a thermal fluidheater skid 90. Skid 90 also includes a supply pump 130 and expansiontank 140 associated with heating tank 120. The hot oil is delivered toprocessor 40 via heat inlet stream 70 and exits processor 40 via heatoutlet stream 80, and is recirculated through skid 90.

In a specific illustrative embodiment, liquid asphalt additive can beadded to the asphalt shingles in processor 40. The liquid asphaltadditive can be, for example, virgin non-oxidized asphalt. The liquidasphalt additive further liquefies the asphalt shingles in processor 40,and can affect other characteristics such as melt point. The liquidasphalt additive can be delivered to processor 40 via additive inletstream 100 and pump 105, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The liquid asphaltadditive can be heated in heater 310 prior to being introduced intoprocessor 40. In alternate illustrative embodiments in which a solidheated product is desired, it is not necessary to introduce liquidasphalt additive into processor 40.

In an illustrative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2-3, the contents oftreatment chamber 55 of processor 40 can be agitated in order to promotemixing. In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 includes a motor 41such as a 75 horsepower motor and an agitator arm 111 that isoperationally connected to motor 41 and extends within processor 40. Oneor more paddles 110 are positioned along the length of agitator arm 111.Paddles 110 turn and contact the material within treatment chamber 55 ofprocessor 40 as agitator arm 111 rotates to stir and mix the treatmentchamber's contents until they are of the desired consistency. The shaftof agitator arm 111 can turn clockwise or counterclockwise (as viewedfrom the vantage point “a” on FIGS, 2-3) within processor 40.Preferably, shaft of agitator arm 111 turns clockwise during mixing andcounterclockwise during discharge of the material from processor 40.

In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 does not include any millingelements to grind, crush or abrade the scrap asphalt shingles duringtreatment therein, as these shingles will be adequately processed byheating and/or agitation alone. Further, it is not necessary for thescrap asphalt shingles to be shredded, milled or otherwise broken apartprior to treatment in processor 40, or for liquid asphalt additive to beadded to the contents of processor 40.

In general, the viscosity and consistency of the mixture in processor 40are controlled by monitoring a variety of parameters such as thetemperature of the heated product exiting processor 40 and the amount oftime the mixture is treated in processor 40. In certain illustrativeembodiments, the amount of liquid asphalt additive included in themixture may also be a relevant factor.

Upon heating, a certain portion of the asphalt mixture within processor40 may take a gaseous/vapor form. This gas or vapor may also includesteam or water vapor within processor 40. A gas/vapor buildup withinprocessor 40 could increase the pressure within processor 40 toundesirable levels. Vapor outlet stream 160 can be utilized to allowthese gases/vapors to exit the top of processor 40. Vapor outlet stream160 is preferably directed to condenser 220, which condenses thegas/vapor stream to liquid form. A scrubber 221 may also be utilized toremove undesired pollutants from vapor outlet stream 160 (See FIG. 6).Condenser 220 is cooled by a recycled glycol stream 250 which issupplied by packaged chiller 260. The glycol stream returns to packagedchiller via return stream 270. The liquid from condenser 220 iscollected in receiver 230.

In an illustrative embodiment, processor 40 includes an outlet 44 on itsbottom 45 whereby the heated product can exit processor 40 via processoroutlet stream 46. If desired, one or more temperature measurementdevices 68 (FIG. 1) can be positioned at or near outlet 44 of processor40 to measure and/or monitor the temperature of the exiting heatedproduct. In an illustrative embodiment, temperature measurement devicecan be an infrared temperature reader 68′ as shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 6. Temperature measurement device 68′ can be linked to aoperational control device 49 for processor 40, as shown in FIG. 6.Operational control device 49 can automatically adjust one or moreparameters relating to the operation of processor 40, based upon thetemperature reading obtained from device 68′, as shown in FIG. 6.Examples of the parameters that can be adjusted for processor 40 toachieve a desired temperature reading at or near outlet 44 can include,but are not limited to, the rate at which scrap asphalt shingles are fedinto inlet 42, the rate at which paddles 110 and/or agitator arm 111rotate within processor 40 and the amount of time that the shingles areretained in processor 40.

At times, the heated product in processor 40 may become stuck or clumpedtogether and form an aggregation. This aggregation can cause a distinctvariation in the temperature reading measured by temperature measurementdevice 68. For example, an aggregation passing through outlet 44 cancause the temperature reading on device 68 to shift by fifty degreesFahrenheit or more. In an illustrative embodiment, temperaturemeasurement device 68′ is capable of taking temperature readings at ornear outlet 44 over a defined period of time and then averaging thereadings to determine an average temperature for the heated product. Theaverage temperature is reported to variable control system 49 instead ofthe actual temperature reading. This prevents any unnecessaryfluctuations to the operational parameters of processor 40 caused byvariable control system 49.

If desired, a cooling device 69 can be utilized so that the temperatureof the contents of processor 40 in outlet stream 46 can be reduced suchas, for example, in elevated summer temperatures. In an illustrativeembodiment, cooling device 69 can accept a heated product and preferablycool it down to the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 110degrees Fahrenheit. In another embodiment, cooling device 69 may coolheated shingles down to the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheitto 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooling device 69 can utilize water mist,fans and/or tumbling action to cool the liquefied slurry or heatedshingles, although other cooling means may also be utilized. Also, thecontents of outlet stream 46 can be cooled by ambient air, without theneed for cooling device 69.

Processor outlet stream 46 is ultimately directed from processor 40 tosizing unit 150. Sizing unit 150 preferably includes motor 151 such as a75 horsepower VFD motor, and can accommodate 10,000 pounds per hour ofmaterials. In an illustrative embodiment, sizing unit 150 is utilized toremove thick asphalt or other undesired materials that may be present inprocessor outlet stream 46. Sizing unit 150 is preferably able to grindor reduce a solid heated product without clogging or other similardisruption.

After treatment in sizing unit 150, the heated product can be deliveredto hammer mill 200 via a belt conveyer 210. Alternately, an auger 400may be used to deliver the heated product to hammer mill 200, as shownin FIG. 6. Hammer mill 200 preferably includes a totally enclosed fancooled (“TEFC”) motor (not shown) and can accommodate at least 10,000pounds per hour of materials. The hammer mill 200 reduces the asphaltshingle material into even smaller particles, preferably able to passthrough a one inch screen. If desired, temperature reading and moisturereading devices can be installed at or near the inlet to hammer mill 200to allow for monitoring by a process operator. In an illustrativeembodiment, a finishing hammer mill 300 can be utilized to furtherreduce the asphalt shingle material exiting hammer mill 200, as shown inFIG. 6.

The particles in hammer mill 200 can be formed into a desired finalproduct. For example, the final product can be extruded, formed into apellet, or can have the consistency of coffee grounds or even finer,such as a powder. Further, the particles can be allowed to harden beforeentering hammer mill 200 and then crushed to size.

The final product can be utilized, for example, as an additive forpavement or roofing materials or as a raw material for shinglemanufacturing. Further, grease zerts can be installed on all bearingsand other related items in the system to facilitate prolonged periods ofuse. Additional screening, bagging and loading systems (not shown) maybe provided, depending upon the size of, and intended use for, the finalproduct, as would be well understood by one of ordinary skill in theart.

In the drawings and specification, there has been disclosed anddescribed typical illustrative embodiments, and although specific termsare employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. It will be apparent that various modificationsand changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention asdescribed in the foregoing specification. Accordingly, the invention istherefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method of recycling asphalt roofing material, the method comprisingthe steps of: delivering the asphalt roofing material into a treatmentchamber of a processor; passing a heat source through a jacket at leastpartially surrounding the treatment chamber; transferring heat energyfrom the heat source to the asphalt roofing material until the asphaltroofing material forms a liquefied slurry; and removing the liquefiedslurry from the treatment chamber.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of utilizing heated oil as the heat source.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding liquid asphaltto the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising the step of agitating the asphalt roofingmaterial in the treatment chamber.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of heating the asphalt roofing material to atemperature in the range from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degreesFahrenheit within the treatment chamber.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising the step of milling the liquefied slurry after it hasbeen removed from the treatment chamber to form a final recycledproduct.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step ofcooling the liquefied slurry after it exits the treatment chamber. 8.The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of cooling theliquefied slurry to the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to110 degrees Fahrenheit.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising thestep of passing the liquefied slurry through a hammer mill after theliquefied slurry exits the treatment chamber.
 10. A processor forrecycling asphalt roofing material, the processor comprising: atreatment chamber; an inlet disposed on the treatment chamber forallowing untreated asphalt roofing material to enter the treatmentchamber; an outlet disposed on the treatment chamber for allowingtreated asphalt roofing material to exit the treatment chamber; and ajacket at least partially surrounding the treatment chamber, the jackethaving a outer wall, an inner wall, and a passageway therebetween forallowing a heat source to pass therethrough.
 11. The processor of claim10, further comprising an agitator arm disposed within the treatmentchamber, the agitator arm having a shaft and one or more paddlespositioned thereon that contact the contents of the treatment chamber.12. The processor of claim 10, further comprising a screw conveyerdisposed adjacent to the inlet for delivering untreated asphalt roofingmaterial to the treatment chamber.
 13. The processor of claim 12,wherein the screw conveyer comprises a plurality of variable speedconveyors for regulating the flow of untreated asphalt roofing materialto the treatment chamber.
 14. The processor of claim 10, wherein theheat source is heated oil, and the heated oil circulates through thejacket.
 15. An apparatus for recycling asphalt roofing material, theapparatus comprising: a jacketed agitated processor for heating theasphalt roofing material to produce a partially liquefied product; aheating skid for supplying a heat source to the jacket of the agitatedprocessor; and a hammer mill for reducing the particle size of solidparticles present in the partially liquefied product.
 16. The apparatusof claim 15, further comprising a sizing unit for reducing the particlesize of solid particles present in the partially liquefied productbefore the partially liquefied product is delivered to the hammer mill.17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a screw conveyer fordelivering asphalt roofing material to the processor.
 18. The apparatusof claim 17, wherein the screw conveyer comprises a plurality ofvariable speed conveyors for regulating the flow of untreated asphaltroofing material to the treatment chamber.
 19. The apparatus of claim15, further comprising one or more temperature measuring devicesdisposed at the outlet of the jacketed agitated processor.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 15, further comprising one or more cooling devicesbetween the outlet of the jacketed agitated processor and the inlet ofthe hammer mill.
 21. A method of recycling asphalt roofing material, themethod comprising the steps of: delivering the asphalt roofing materialinto a treatment chamber of a processor; supplying a heat source to thetreatment chamber; transferring heat energy from the heat source to theasphalt roofing material to produce a heated solid product; and removingthe heated solid product from the treatment chamber.
 22. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising the step of utilizing heated oil as theheat source.
 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step ofadding liquid asphalt to the asphalt roofing material in the treatmentchamber.
 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step ofagitating the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.
 25. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising the step of heating the asphaltroofing material to a temperature in the range from 150 degreesFahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber. 26.The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of grinding theheated solid product after it has been removed from the treatmentchamber to form a recycled product.
 27. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising the step of cooling the heated solid product after it exitsthe treatment chamber.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprisingthe step of cooling the heated solid product to the range ofapproximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
 29. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising the step of passing the heatedsolid product through a hammer mill after the heated solid product exitsthe treatment chamber.
 30. The method of claim 21, further comprisingthe step of passing the heat source through a jacket that at leastpartially surrounds the treatment chamber.
 31. A method of recyclingasphalt roofing material, the method comprising: delivering the asphaltroofing material into a treatment chamber of a processor; supplying aheat source to the treatment chamber; transferring heat energy from theheat source to the asphalt roofing material to produce a heated product;removing the heated product from the treatment chamber; determining adesired temperature for the heated product exiting the treatmentchamber; measuring the actual temperature of the heated product exitingthe treatment chamber; and automatically adjusting at least oneoperational parameter for the processor until the desired temperatureand the actual temperature of the heated product exiting the treatmentchamber are substantially the same.
 32. The method of claim 31, furthercomprising the step of utilizing heated oil as the heat source.
 33. Themethod of claim 31, further comprising the step of adding liquid asphaltto the asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber.
 34. The methodof claim 31, further comprising the step of agitating the asphaltroofing material in the treatment chamber.
 35. The method of claim 31,further comprising the step of heating the asphalt roofing material to atemperature in the range from 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degreesFahrenheit within the treatment chamber.
 36. The method of claim 31,further comprising, the step of grinding the heated product after it hasbeen removed from the treatment chamber to form a recycled product. 37.The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of cooling theheated product after it exits the treatment chamber.
 38. The method ofclaim 37, further comprising the step of cooling the heated product tothe range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degreesFahrenheit.
 39. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step ofpassing the heated product through a hammer mill after the heatedproduct exits the treatment chamber.
 40. The method of claim 31, furthercomprising: measuring the actual temperature of the heated productexiting the treatment chamber a plurality of times over a defined timeperiod; calculating an average temperature for the heated productexiting the treatment chamber over the defined time period; andadjusting at least one operational parameter for the processor until thedesired temperature and the average temperature of the heated productexiting the treatment chamber are substantially the same.
 41. The methodof claim 31, wherein the treatment chamber contains one or more paddlesfor mixing the asphalt roofing material, and the operational parameteris the rotational speed of the one or more paddles.
 42. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the operational parameter is the rate at which theasphalt roofing material is delivered to the treatment chamber.
 43. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the operational parameter is the amount oftime that the asphalt roofing material is retained in the treatmentchamber.
 44. The method of claim 31, wherein the heated product is aheated solid product.
 45. The method of claim 31, further comprisingpassing the heat source through a jacket that at least partiallysurrounds the treatment chamber.
 46. An apparatus for recycling asphaltroofing material, the apparatus comprising: a processor for heating theasphalt roofing material to produce a heated solid product, theprocessor having an inlet and an outlet; a heating skid for supplying aheat source to the processor; at least one hammer mill for reducing theparticle size of solid particles present in the heated product, thehammer mill having an inlet and an outlet; a measurement device formeasuring the temperature of the heated product; an operational controldevice for controlling one or more operational parameters of theprocessor based upon the temperature indicated by the measurementdevice; one or more cooling devices disposed between the outlet of theprocessor and the inlet of the hammer mill for cooling the heatedproduct; and a screw conveyer for delivering asphalt roofing material tothe processor, the screw conveyer comprising a plurality of variablespeed conveyors for regulating the flow of asphalt roofing material tothe processor.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising anagitator arm disposed within the processor, the agitator arm having ashaft and one or more paddles positioned thereon that contact thecontents of the processor.
 48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein theheat source is heated oil, and the heated oil transfers heat energy tothe asphalt roofing material.
 49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein theasphalt roofing material is heated to a temperature in the range from150 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the processor.50. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the heated product is cooled to atemperature in the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 140degrees Fahrenheit in the cooling device.
 51. The apparatus of claim 46,further comprising a jacket disposed around the processor for receivingthe heat source.